subject: Job Interviews: How To Look Your Best [print this page] You've spent ages trawling through newspapers, websites and all other manner of job advertisements. Updated your CV and re-written your covering letter at least twenty times then finally picked the paper to print it onto, thrown it all in an envelope and posted it off. Finally after what seems like years, a reply! Time for stage two, it is time for an interview.
There are few jobs on earth that are possible to get without first having to undertake some sort of an interview. Some can prove to be very formal; others can be the complete opposite and be very practical based. The important thing is to be yourself and to not try and be something you're not, otherwise they can tend to go downhill quite quickly and be over before you know it.
Being prepared for an interview is essential. There really is no such thing as being too well prepared. Good preparation does go beyond taking a copy of your CV with you, ideally find out who will be interviewing you, where it is exactly you have to be and make sure you are well presented - wash your hair, polish your shoes and run an iron over your shirt.
The next big thing when preparing for your interview is of course what to wear. In days gone by, for men the standard attire has usually been suit, shirt and tie. Nowadays though, the dress code for interviews has relaxed slightly, but this doesn't make creating the right look any easier.
The most important thing is to wear clothes that are clean, ironed and free from holes or faded patches. Most men have a favourite shirt or pair of trousers, unfortunately this means that they are often worn a lot and as a result look like they have been worn a lot! It isn't necessary to kit yourself out with a new suit or new shirt for every interview, but it could be worth investing in a few designer clothes if you are keen on the job. The best look is the one that not only makes you look good, but a designer touch will often make you feel good and as a result more confident.
To impress in an interview you don't have to go all designer. Mixing and matching designer clothes with high street items can be just as effective. For men, investing in a good pair of shoes is usually not a bad idea as it is more or less guaranteed that they will get their money's worth out of them.
Appearance isn't everything, especially when applying for a job. However, it can put potential employers off and is a big part of the whole first impression. If you're in doubt ask a friends opinion, yes, even if you are a man. Looking good may just be what spares you on to go that extra mile in the interview and land that dream job!
